A/N: I'm so sorry it took so long to get this one out. I was spending some much needed quality time with a close friend (who also just happens to be in the process of helping me write this fic) and said friend happens to live in a dead zone. No internet connection or cell service. But here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy. All feedback is appreciated.
Mellissande was startled awake by a knock on the door. She ran her fingers through her long hair and threw the blankets back as she rolled her way out of bed. Looking to the opposite side of the room she saw Arista still laying in the position she last left her in. Relief flooding her body as she noticed the darker marks fading. The blood letting was working. Through the night she had fed Arista four times. Each time watching her eyes flutter as if trying to open. Hopefully she would awake soon.
Mellissande made her way to the door, slipping her robe on in the process. Opening the door she found herself face to face with Thor. "Lady Mellissande." He said with a slight bow. "I wanted to inquire as to how Lady Arista is."
Mellissande stepped to the side, opening the door further to let Thor enter the room. His apprehensive look softened into one of concern. "She looks as if she's getting better." He stated walking to the sleeping form of Arista. Watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath. He tore his eyes from her sleeping form to look at Mellissande.
"She should be awake in a few hours. I've been feeding her. Which in return is combating the silver." Mellissande said walking further into the room. "Whoever did this didn't give her enough to kill her. Hence her fast recovery. And also knew the the only weakness to her armor." She said pulling one of the small bullets from the drawer in her nightstand. "Adamantium. It's what her armor is made from. Only Adamantium can penetrate it's self." She held it up to shine in the dim light. Giving it a dull shine as she turned it between her fingers.
Arista stirred in her sleep. Fingers twitching, her breathing coming quicker. A gentle groan escaped her lips. Gasping. Eyes frantic beneath her eyelids. Thor grasped at his temples, a low hiss escaping his lips. The door burst open as Tony came crashing into the room. Holding his head in the same manner that Thor was.
"What the hell is going on?" He yelled. All the while Arista was still thrashing in her sleep. "Make it stop!" Tony cumpled to the floor in a fit of screams.
"What are you seeing Thor?" Mellissande asked bending down and checking Tony. Her first thought on the matter was that Arista was projecting something by the way she was thrashing. "She is still too weak to affect you in the way she does the mortals."
"She throws images of torture. Playing my worst nightmares. I can see Mother and The Allfather laying dead at the foot of their thrones. Everyone I care for slaughtered." He said looking into her eyes. He knew it was only a projection. Knew that it wasn't real, but still, it pained him to see his loved ones in such a way. "Why does she do this?" His eyes pleading.
Mellissande considered his question as she slowly stood up and walked back to the restless Arista. "Her mind is affected. She has minimal control right now. Thank the Council she's still weak." She said as she placed her hand on Arista's cool cheek. Arista calmed a little, allowing Mellissande to cut open her other wrist and letting the blood flow freely. Placing it over Arista's pursed lips. Arista immediately stilled, opening her lips to show her small fangs just before taking the wound into her mouth.
Tony had regained his composure. Standing up, he wiped the sheen of sweat from his face that had formed. "What are you doing?" He asked taking in the scene before him. Mellissande still sat with her hand on Arista's face. The other still tightly grasped in Arista's jaw. He could see her working her jaw as she pulled Mellissande's blood from her vein.
"She had to be stilled. Feeding is the only way. It helps her keep control of her mind while she combats the silver." Mellissande said looking up at him with heavy lidded eyes.
"She's a vampire?" Tony gasped at his realization. "I let a blood sucker into my tower? How am I supposed to be ok with this?" He asked more to himself than anyone else.
"We are not vampires. We are Vanity. Only needing minimal amounts of blood here and there. We do not kill." She said as Arista suddenly stopped feeding. She pulled her arm into her lap and readjusted the blankets over Arista's naked form.
"So you're saying that we have nothing to worry about?" Tony asked when Mellissande stood up.
"Not really. I'm not one to kill someone I call friend." A raspy voice said from behind Mellissande. She turned and Tony saw that Arista was sitting up. Her dark hair tousled in a mass of curls around her shoulders, cascading down her bare back. The blanket had fallen from her chest and lay in a pool around her hips. Exposing her full breasts. "What happened? I feel as if I've been trampled." She said running her fingers through her hair.
"Well if you would cover up some we can get down to business." Tony said averting his eyes to the ceiling. "It's kind of distracting."
Arista glanced down, noticing for the first time that she was wearing nothing. Small rosy patched formed on her cheeks as she grabbed for the blanket and held it to her chest. "I am sorry. I had not realized I was naked."
"We had to remove the bullets. Whoever attacked you knew how to penetrate your armor." Mellissande said picking the small round back up and holding it out to her friend. "I did not think Adamantium was abundunt here."
"It's not. It's actually really rare. The only known amounts of it here were made into Cap's shield by my dad." Tony said with a puzzled look. "How did you get your hands on it?"
"It's a natural element where we are from. One of our moons is made of it."
Tony looked thoughtful for a second. As if carefully considering his next sentance. "So, what you're saying is that it's an alien metal. Seems legit."
"That's how I know the man who attacked is from Numaria. Only our people know it's own weaknesses." Mellissande said walking towards the closet and reaching for a loose fitting shirt for Arista. "This person was versed in Arista's armor." Handing the shirt to Arista, she sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Arista quickly slipped the loose cloth over her head and slid her arms in. "There's something you should know." She said pulling her hair out through the neck hole. "He had an underlying scent of home. My home."
"So you're saying that you could smell 'home' on him?" Tony asked looking thoughful once again.
"No, my home. Delvar. But it is not possible. The land is uninhabitable. It is a wastland. Nothing but ruins. I made sure of it when I destroyed it." Arista said throwing the blanket back to swing her legs off the bed. The only garment left of her armor was the pair of skin tight shorts she wore underneath. She stood and walked to the door. She turned the handle and began to walk out, crashing into something immoveable.
"I am sorry, my dear. I was looking for my dear brother. Last I knew he was coming up here." A melodic voice said from above her. She glanced up the long length of his body, coming to a stop at his dazzling green eyes.
She felt the unmistakable prickle of power glide over her skin, causing the tiny hairs on her arms to rise. A shiver ran up her spin and crawled along her skin as she stared into those eyes. "Power." She said an a barely audible whisper. The rapid thrum of her heart the only thing she could hear.
"Loki, don't move." Melliss ande's voice broke through rush. "She may see you as a threat. Slowly back away."
Before Loki could react, Arista had already taken a step away. Mellissande had positioned herself to Arista's left flank, while Thor went to her right. Taking a step closer, Mellissande noticed Arista's eyes had began to take on a glow. Soft, yet dangerous light danced along her iris.
She reached out and gently placed a hand on Arista's elbow, wrapping her fingers around her arm. "Don't." Arista's voice was deeper. She could feel tiny shocks of static electricity playing along her fingers. Something was calling Arista's power.
"Get Loki out of here. He's causing this." Thor stepped around the duo to his brother, ushering him out of the doorway. Loki reluctantly gave in and allowed his brother to lead him away. He glanced over his shoulder to watch as Mellissande pulled Arista further into the room and closed the door.
Thor quickly led Loki to the elevator and down to the floor that housed their rooms. Once Loki took his seat near the small fireplace, Thor began his interrogation.
"What did you do?" Thor asked rounding on his brother. "I could see fear in Mellissande's eyes."
Loki gave Thor a puzzled look. "I know not what you mean, Brother. I simply came to ask you if Arista was recovering. I promise you I did nothing." He said pushing truth into his words.
"What did she whisper to you?" Thor asked taking a seat across from Loki.
Loki looked thoughtful for a moment, then answered simply. "Power. That is it. It was as if she was pulling something from me." He sat back and let his thoughts on the confrontation fill his mind. Why was he so drawn to her? He didn't want to leave that room. But, yet, he couldn't stay close to her. She was dangerous, and he knew it. He could feel it.
"We will wait for Mellissande to come. If Arista is as dangerous as she makes her out to be, then it may be worse having her around. But I trust Mellissande's judgement." Thor said with a heavy sigh, leaning forward with his head in his hands. "It is time for my walk through the city. Please stay here until we figure out what we are to do." It was a statement, not a question. Loki simpy nodded.
"I do not wish to provoke anyone. I am much too tired." Loki said rising from his chair and making his way to his room. "If anyone shall need me, I will be in my room." With that being said, Thor stood and walked to the elevator. Taking it down to the main level to begin his rounds.